Mid-Month-Pay on the LES Statement?

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:15:44 -0400

I served 4 1/2 years in the National Guard and I have recently accepted an Active Duty Commission. I'm confused when it comes to the Mid-Month-Pay Advance that appears under my deductions.
What is Mid-Month-Pay? When am I given that pay advance? Do I receive the full amount of mid-month-pay?
Please feel free to share any other advice or insight on Active Duty Pay that you might have.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:26:14 -0400

Mid-Month-Pay is half of your salary. As AD you get paid 50% of you salary (basic pay, bah and bas) on the 15th and 50% on the 1st of each month. At the end of month LES you'll see your full Basic Pay, BAH and BAS and a mid month pay deduction which is what you got paid on the 15th

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:41:35 -0400

Congrats on your commission Sir, let's get to your pay. All military service members to the best of my knowledge receive mid-month pay. That mid-month pay is an advance of half what DFAS estimates your total monthly pay will be. If you look on your LES, you’ll see mid-month pay in the middle column, as a deduction. The LES shows that your pay is calculated on a monthly basis, and that the mid-month pay is deducted from the total to result in your end-of-month pay. DFAS calculates on a 30 day cycle regardless if the month has 31 days.

Since you you served 4.5 year prior to you commission, pay close attention to your LES, you may receive O-1E pay. This is only applicable if you have 4 years and 1 day of active duty or more than 1460 points as a warrant and/or enlisted member.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:42:02 -0400

I think you are over thinking it. You get paid twice a month and you get an LES once a month. They account for the money they paid you mid month with that.

Welcome to the Regular Army. You are going to enjoy that extra 4.5 years for pay as you will always be paid more than most of your peers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 6:38 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 06:38:22 -0400

We technically only get paid once a month at the end of the month. The mid month deduction is approximately half of the pay given around the halfway point of the month which gives you your two week pay. Thus, you get paid twice a month (once in the middle, once at the end) and that equals your whole pay check for that month.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 16 at 2014 7:28 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 07:28:52 -0400

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, learning how to read a LES is a key skill for all Military Leaders! It is a powerful document that SHOULD be reviewed each and every month. Unfortunately, far to many people just don't understand it.

Below is a link to a really easy break down of how to read a LES and what each of the areas are.

http://www.powershow.com/view/1403bc-ODYxO/Reading_your_LES_powerpoint_ppt_presentation

(This use to be presented to all First Term Airmen when I was stationed at McGuire).

Reading your LES

Reading your LES. SSgt Sabrina Spriggs. 305th Comptroller Squadron. McGuire AFB ... this is because you will not be able to utilize the dining facility at McGuire. ...

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 16 at 2014 8:39 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:39:28 -0400

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, thanks for asking this question. Not only did you get the answers you needed, but so did at least several others who had the same question and probably many others who didn't even know/think that they had a blind spot there. I'm one of the later.

This is where RP really shines - people from different experiences and backgrounds sharing knowledge.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Sep 16 at 2014 12:19 PM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:19:54 -0400

I remember when Mid Month pay started, I was an E2 and was asked to fill the form out for how much I wanted, so I figured out that half my pay was 150 so I wrote 150 on the form, well for the next 4 years through promotions and everything I only got 150 for midmonth pay!